The regular free Artist Talks for Friends, organised by Laurel Smart, have become a hugely popular benefit of FRWA membership. Here Laurel picks out some recent highlights…
by Laurel Smart
I have had the pleasure of working with the RWA to organise Friends Talks since lockdown. Friends talks and visits were very popular before the pandemic, run by Jane Boot and Anne Farthing — but for reasons we all understand, they had to stop, and it took us a while to get our confidence back.
When we did, we wanted to encourage Friends to return to the RWA building and to bring some joy back into everyone’s life. So, we decided to offer the talks free, and they continue to be free to Friends.
It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with so many talented artists and speakers. Academicians generously give up their time and deliver accomplished presentations on their work. Curators of RWA exhibitions tell us about their exhibitions, experts in their field share their interests. Most are illustrated talks in the Youngwood Room, the darkness and the large projection wall make this an ideal space.
We are always very excited to hold talks in front of artwork in the galleries. Academicians and curators have delivered standing talks in the Kenny Gallery. We have been privileged to have Fiona Robinson, President of the RWA, Stewart Geddes, Past President and Hamish Young Vice President deliver walking talks which introduced us to RWA Open exhibitions. This is always fascinating, hearing about how they bring order to the mammoth task of curating in excess of 400 pieces of art. Patricia Volk RWA FRSS wrote a fabulous piece about her experience of helping with the curation of this year’s Open.
All of the talks are highlights, and here are some of them….
Patricia Volk RWA has also delivered an energising, defiant talk about her own bold and brightly coloured ceramic sculpture. She captures simple form and line, enhancing it with striking colour. She will often create intriguing juxtapositions, leaving the interpretation to the viewer.
Stewart Geddes PPRWA did a collaboration called Strange Dance in lockdown with Philip Selway, the musician and Radiohead drummer. Stewart had a near sell out exhibition in London of the work he produced, but we were lucky enough to have a show in the Kenny Gallery. Stewart delivered a fascinating and very moving talk about this collaboration and his artworks.
Simon Hitchens RWA, is a sculptor; his stunning drawings and the rigour of his work is breathtaking. He works quite literally from dawn till dusk, in all elements praying for the sun to cast a shadow. The locations and his drawings are awe inspiring.
Rosalind Robinson RWA paints exquisite portraits, often sketching residents of her village and using these sketches to capture a moment or context. She often adds symbolic items within the complex structure of a headdress. She will sometimes build 3D models of the headdresses as a resource.
I couldn’t talk about the Friends talks without including the amazing talk for Friends that the RWA Director Alison Bevan gave before she stepped down. It wasa fascinating look back on the history of the RWA, the trials and triumphs and her own personal journey in the role. Following the talk, we had an informal goodbye and thank you for Alison.
I would like to thank all the artists and speakers for their generosity and sharing their knowledge and insights. Each one is different and wonderful in its own way.
Thanks to Grace Hannell, who is my link with RWA and who supports me, making this volunteer role so much easier, and who does things with tech I could not do! Thanks also to Angus Gregson, who so often takes photographs to document the talks, some of which feature in the video reel on the Friends desk in the RWA foyer.
A final huge thank you must go to the Friends who come to the talks, who support our efforts and make it all worthwhile. We are looking forward to another exciting year and hope you will join us!
The Floating Circle 